Social Learning of Nut-Cracking Behavior in East African Sanctuary-Living Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii)
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
2008 |
Authors: |
Sarah Marshall-Pescini, Andrew Whiten |
Publication/Journal: |
Journal of Comparative Psychology |
Keywords: |
*tool use, chimpanzees, nut cracking, social learning |
ISBN: |
0735-7036 |
Abstract:
Nut cracking is restricted to communities of wild chimpanzees living in West Africa, suggesting it is an example of a socially transmitted tradition. Detailed study of the acquisition of nut cracking in wild chimpanzees is consistent with this conclusion. However, only 2, small-scale experiments have been carried out in captivity to explore the role of social transmission in the acquisition of this behavior. The study presented here does this with a comparatively larger, statistically viable sample of 11 sanctuary-living chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii), permitting both between- and within-subjects experimental manipulations. Results confirmed that nut cracking can be acquired in a matter of days by social learning, but only in chimpanzees 3 to 4 years old and older. Direct comparisons are made with a study carried out in the wild, revealing striking similarities in developmental profiles.